Update #3 to Hoster 2.213

[fairway01]

Hi,

I just completed an import of over 200 cdgs in Hoster using the default settings (no normalization). I just found out that Hoster has been updated to 2.213 version #3 and that the default settings were not right.

"Change Settings Defaults - In the Import Tracks screen, the Change Setting button allows enabling/disabling the built-in Compressor-Limitor-Normalize operation. It turns out the default settings were not what was recommended in the Manual. These have been changed to the Manual defaults. "

Is this going to be a problem for me and am I going to need to re-import all these tracks (I hope not)? Does this new default setting improve the sound quality?

Thanks,
T

[admin]

It turns out that the WMA compression we do on the audio data to make the file shorter ALSO performs an AUDIO compression. This was not known when we wrote the Comp/Lim module for Hoster.

The changes we made were to make the defaults equal the manual.

The manual warns to test the compressor/limitor on some songs to determine the settings you like. Comp/Lim is a very complex issue. Some users disable it altogether to make importing faster, and because they don't know what it does.

Listen to some of your imported songs. If they are bad, then you need to change and reimport. However, I don't think you will be disappointed.

[fairway01]

Hi Admin,

Thanks for the info, but I'm still a bit confused. When I imported using the original 2.213 I had everything in the 'change settings' disabled and just used the default settings. The imported songs sound good, but if they would sound better using the lastest update to 2.213 then it might be worth while to reimport. Do you believe there would be a change in sound quality using the default settings in the latest version of Hoster?

Thanks,
T

[Nitecat]

I would also like to know the answer on this. I'm confused as to what the default settings should be and would prefer to just use the default settings. The Hoster manual I printed out on 8-6-04 shows Attack and Release on page 26 as Slow, but on page 29 in the 3rd paragraph it says the default setting for both is Medium. Which one is correct? I have Hoster Release 3 and it shows the default Attack and Relase as Slow. Should I change this to Medium? I too have loaded about 75 CDGs with it set on Slow. Hope it doesn't make a lot of difference. Thanks for your help.

[Nitecat]

How did I get Admin or someone to respond to my August 20 posting?? I am new to this. Thanks. Nitecat Karaoke

[admin]

I'm here.

We try to explain in the Manual that if you don't understand the operation of a Compressor or Limitor, don't use them. They are studio engineering tools that can be very confusing to non-technical users. There is a rather extensive tutorial starting at the Topic titled: Compressor Discussion.

I'm confused by your stating you find two different default settings on page 26 and page 29. I can only find the Topic titled: Factory Default Settings that say the Attack and Release should both be set to Slow. Later, we discuss that Slow equals a numerical setting of 40ms.

As in my answer above, whenever you are using the Compressor/Limitor, you MUST experiment to see what each setting sounds like. The manual also warns that individual songs will sound better at certain settings than others. Thus, there is no universal settings that is "ideal" for every song. That simply does not happen. Our defaults were suggested by studio engineers who have used our Comp/Lim module in our MicroEDITOR audio workstation.

If it sounds good, play it. If not, re-record and either disable the Comp/Lim, or experiment until that song sounds good. I really can't say any more than this other than... read and STUDY the manual. It's a tough topic, and you will only master it by testing what the settings do, and seeing what you like the best; i.e. what sounds good to your ears, and hopefully your audience.

[bjswaim]

I agree with Admin. If you don't understand the use of compressors and limiters then don't use them. Besides being a KJ, I am also a recording engineer and the application of compressors and limiters is the least understoon plug-ins that an engineer uses. If they aren't applied with finesse, they can make a good track sound horrible. If you plan on using them remember that less is more.

[Nitecat]

Admin,

Believe me, I have been reading and studying the manual extensively. There is so much to learn when you are first starting out with Hoster, but I am trying.

To address your earlier posted response to me, you said the following:

"I'm confused by your stating you find two different default settings on page 26 and page 29. I can only find the Topic titled: Factory Default Settings that say the Attack and Release should both be set to Slow. Later, we discuss that Slow equals a numerical setting of 40ms."

If you will read in the manual beyond where is says 1. Slow is 40 ms (this is on page 28 in my manual, but pages will depend on what font size you used to print the manual), you will come to a couple of paragraphs of description. In the next to the last sentence of the Attack and Release Time Discussion section you will find this sentence: "The default setting for both is Medium."

That is why I'm confused. It says in the Factory Default Settings section that the Attack and Release defaults are Slow, whereas in the Attack and Release Time Discussion section (the next to the last sentence), it says the default is Medium.

I just wanted to know which is correct? Isn't this an error in the manual? I realize that using these settings is a complicated issue, but the manual appears to give conflicting information.

Thanks for your help.

Nitecat Karaoke

[admin]

Originally Posted by fairway01

Hi Admin,

Thanks for the info, but I'm still a bit confused. When I imported using the original 2.213 I had everything in the 'change settings' disabled and just used the default settings. The imported songs sound good, but if they would sound better using the lastest update to 2.213 then it might be worth while to reimport. Do you believe there would be a change in sound quality using the default settings in the latest version of Hoster?

Thanks,
T

If you had everything disabled... you did not apply Compression-Limting or Normalization at all. You have unprocessed files, except as I mentioned earlier that the WMA data compression also does audio compression.

If you want to try importing some of your tracks again using the Comp/Lim, then please.... read the manual on how to use it. Then... experiment until you understand it. No one can "train" your ears to hear the changes... except you. It is a process that only you can do.

[admin]

Originally Posted by Nitecat

Admin,

Believe me, I have been reading and studying the manual extensively. There is so much to learn when you are first starting out with Hoster, but I am trying.

If you will read in the manual beyond where is says 1. Slow is 40 ms (this is on page 28 in my manual, but pages will depend on what font size you used to print the manual), you will come to a couple of paragraphs of description. In the next to the last sentence of the Attack and Release Time Discussion section you will find this sentence: "The default setting for both is Medium."

Nitecat Karaoke

You are right. Thanks for pointing out this error in the manual. SLOW is the safe settings to use. I have changed the manual for the next release.

As bjswaim posted, if you don't understand Comp/Lim, don't use it. If you have the "technical chops", it still takes a LOT of experimenting with different songs and settings to get the feel for what C/L does, and when to use it or not. The majority of users will be very satisfied to not use it.